What are the ticketing rules for child and infant passengers on Emirates?

Infants 0-2 years

Tickets for infants travelling on the parent’s lap or in a bassinet are discounted from the full adult fare. When booking online, a request for a bassinet can be made in the Passenger Details section.

Infants less than seven days old will only be allowed on board in the case of travel for emergency medical reasons (in incubators) or if the mother is travelling on compassionate grounds.

Children in car seats (6-36 months)*

Children between 6-36 months may travel on board in car seats as long as a separate seat is purchased for the child. Car seats can be used at any stage of the flight, including take-off and landing. The car seat must be the forward facing type only and one that can be secured to the seat by the use of the lap seatbelt, and not a shoulder harness (2-point seatbelt) as for car vehicles. Airport Services will approve the infant car seat at check-in for use on board.

Children 2-11 years

Tickets for children travelling in a separate seat are also discounted from the full adult fare.

Please Note: the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor service is not available in conjunction with a discounted 'child' ticket—a full adult fare must be purchased.

Please contact your local Emirates office to book an unaccompanied minor.

Children travelling in different class to the parents

Children under 8 years of age, travelling in a different cabin class to their parents, are considered Unaccompanied Minors and pay the full adult fare. When there are children both over and under the age of 8 travelling together, with their parents in a different cabin class, then all the children are considered Unaccompanied Minors and the adult fare would be applicable for all. Passengers are reminded that visits between cabins should be kept to a minimum.

IMPORTANT: New information concerning infant bookings

Any person 2 years or older must occupy a seat when travelling on Emirates. Therefore, any infant who reaches the age of 2 after the commencement of the journey must pay the applicable child fare and is required to occupy a seat for that part of the journey.

Where a passenger travels as an infant on the outward journey and as a child on the onward/ return journey, applicable infant fare will apply for the outward journey and child fare for the onward/return flights. This cannot be booked online and should be booked through your local Emirates office.

Where a passenger is an infant but is 2 years or older on travel date at point of origin, the applicable child fare will apply for entire journey

If the above has not been done at the booking or ticketing stage, then check-in staff will arrange this at the airport on departure.

If seats are not available at the ticketing or check-in stage, the adult and child passengers will be booked together on alternate flights, subject to availability.

Should travel plans change while en-route and an infant turns 2 years old after travel has commenced the unused coupon(s) will be reissued at the applicable child fare for the rest of the trip and a seat will also be booked for all remaining flights.

IMPORTANT: Conditions of travel to Canada

Parents travelling to Canada with a child under 18 years old are strongly advised to hold documentation showing that the child is theirs. Parents who are separated or divorced are also advised to keep legal and other relevant documents in order to clarify custody rights.

Children travelling to Canada alone or with adults who have no legal custody over them are strongly advised to hold letter of travel consent signed by legal guardian or parent with legal custody. This letter should contain:

a. Authorisation to travel, and
b. Destination in Canada, stating length of stay, and
c. Signor’s address and telephone details.

* Two infants may fly with two accompanying adults if suitable seating and oxygen masks are available.

Two infants with one accompanying adult may travel if the second infant is over 12 months and is able to sit in a seat with a seat belt, or is over six months and restrained. The second infant will travel at the applicable child fare rather than the infant fare. Three infants can travel with two adults if each adult watches over an infant during take-off and landing and if either the third infant is over 12 months and is able to sit in a seat with a seat belt, or is over six months and is restrained. A child fare will apply to the third infant.

If this is not possible, the third infant must have an escort. For escort charges and arrangements, please contact your local Emirates office or travel agent.